JP2008164455A - Quantitative ratio dispensing device, and quantitative ratio mixed fluid preparing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for making at least two kinds of fluids flow from a first channel and a second channel at a predetermined quantitative ratio, respectively, with a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: A measuring device 1 comprises a first channel 31 that has a predetermined cross section and length and makes the first fluid flow out, a second channel 32 that has a cross section and length of a predetermined ratio to those of the first channel 31 and makes the second fluid flow out, and a syringe pump 2 for applying equal pressures to the first fluid in the first channel 31 and the second fluid in the second channel 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus that causes at least two types of fluid to flow out from a first flow path and a second flow path at a predetermined quantitative ratio, respectively.

  Mixing fluids such as liquids, gases, and multiphase fluids in predetermined amounts is performed regardless of the scale of industrial production or household use. For example, analysis and inspection, fuel supply to the fuel cell, gas etching and the like can be mentioned. In the case of dilution of a solution containing nanoparticles or dilution of a pigment, the mixed phase fluid and the liquid are mixed.

  In analysis and inspection, a specimen called a specimen and a detection reagent are mixed at a predetermined quantitative ratio, and a change in the state of the mixture after a lapse of a certain time is measured. Examples of the state change of the mixture include colorimetric measurement and turbidity measurement of the mixture. Samples include human blood and serum, river water and seawater.

  Some fuel cells use an aqueous solution containing methanol at a low concentration of about 3 to 6% as fuel. Such a fuel cell is also referred to as a methanol fuel cell. If the methanol fuel cell continues to generate electricity, the concentration of methanol in the fuel decreases and the power generation capacity is lost. In order to sustain the power generation of the methanol fuel cell, it is useful to continuously add a certain proportion of methanol into the fuel. Some fuel cells use oxygen gas and hydrogen gas mixed at a mixing ratio of 1: 2. In power generation by this fuel cell, it is necessary to continuously supply a mixed gas having a certain mixing ratio.

  Gas etching is a technique in which etching is performed by mixing a plurality of types of gases at a predetermined ratio to form an etching gas, and generating plasma in a state where the etching gas is filled in a sealed container at a low pressure. In gas etching, the type of gas and the mixing ratio affect the etching rate and quality.

  Conventionally, an apparatus for accurately dispensing a fluid such as liquid or gas has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for accurately dispensing a liquid with pressurized air. Patent Document 2 discloses a microdispensing device without a volume sensor.

Japanese National Patent Publication No. 8-501696 JP 2002-500906 A

  As shown in Patent Document 1, in order to dispense liquid accurately with pressurized air, a sensor for detecting air pressure and an adjustment valve for adjusting the pressure level of the pressurized air are required, which complicates the device. Easy to enlarge. In Patent Document 2, a dispensing device without a volume sensor is disclosed. However, the dispensing device is suitable as a device for ejecting ink droplets like a recording head of an ink jet printer, and a plurality of fluids. Not intended to be mixed. Further, both Patent Documents 1 and 2 are intended to dispense or discharge an accurate absolute amount of liquid.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide means for allowing at least two kinds of fluids to flow out from the first flow path and the second flow path at a predetermined quantitative ratio, respectively, with a simple structure. And

  (1) The quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus according to the present invention has a first flow path through which the first fluid flows out with a predetermined pressure loss, and a pressure loss with a predetermined ratio with respect to the first flow path, A second flow path through which the second fluid flows, and a pressure applying means for pressurizing or depressurizing the first fluid in the first flow path and the second fluid in the second flow path. .

  The pressure loss between the first channel and the second channel is a predetermined ratio. The first fluid is circulated through the first flow path, and the second fluid is circulated through the second flow path. The pressure applying means pressurizes or depressurizes the first fluid in the first channel and the second fluid in the second channel. The pressurization is performed from the upstream side with respect to the flow direction of the fluid, and the depressurization is performed from the downstream side with respect to the flow direction of the fluid. The first fluid and the second fluid that have been pressurized or depressurized flow out of the first channel or the second channel, respectively. The first fluid and the second fluid flowing out from the first channel and the second channel, respectively, have a predetermined quantity ratio corresponding to the pressure loss ratio between the first channel and the second channel.

  (2) The first flow path has a predetermined cross-sectional area and a length, and the second flow path has a cross-sectional area and a length that is a predetermined ratio with respect to the first flow path, The said pressure provision means can consider what pressurizes or depressurizes equal pressure with respect to the 1st fluid in the said 1st flow path, and the 2nd fluid in the said 2nd flow path.

  The pressure loss in the flow path can be controlled by the cross-sectional area and length. Therefore, the ratio of the pressure loss between the first channel and the second channel can be easily controlled by adjusting the ratio of the cross-sectional area and the length. By making the pressurization or depressurization by the pressure applying means equal to the first flow path and the second flow path, the first flow path and the second flow path have a quantity ratio corresponding to the ratio of the pressure loss. One fluid and the second fluid are discharged.

  (3) Examples of the first fluid and the second fluid include liquid, gas, and mixed phase fluid.

  (4) The quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a mixing container for mixing and holding the first fluid flowing out from the first flow path and the second fluid flowing out from the second flow path. You may do.

  The first fluid and the second fluid respectively flowing out from the first channel and the second channel at a predetermined quantity ratio are mixed and held in the mixing container.

  (5) The measuring device according to the present invention comprises the quantitative ratio dispensing device and a measuring means for measuring the reaction state of the mixture containing the first fluid and the second fluid in the mixing container.

  (6) By using one of the first fluid and the second fluid as a detection reagent and the other as a sample, the present measurement apparatus can be used for analysis of the sample.

  (7) The quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus according to the present invention has a predetermined pressure loss, a first container in which the first fluid is held, and a pressure loss that is a predetermined ratio with respect to the first container. A second container in which the second fluid is held, a first flow path in which the first fluid held in the first container flows out, and a second fluid in which the second fluid held in the second container flows out. And a pressure applying means for pressurizing or depressurizing the first fluid in the first container and the second fluid in the second container.

  The pressure loss of the first container and the second container is a predetermined ratio. The first fluid held in the first container is circulated through the first flow path, and the second fluid held in the second container is circulated through the second flow path. The pressure applying means pressurizes or depressurizes the first fluid in the first container and the second fluid in the second container. The pressurization is performed from the upstream side with respect to the flow direction of the fluid, and the depressurization is performed from the downstream side with respect to the flow direction of the fluid. The first fluid and the second fluid that have been pressurized or depressurized flow out of the first channel or the second channel, respectively. The first fluid and the second fluid flowing out from the first channel and the second channel, respectively, have a predetermined quantity ratio corresponding to the ratio of the pressure loss between the first container and the second container.

  (8) The first flow path may have a predetermined pressure loss, and the second flow path may have a pressure loss with a predetermined ratio with respect to the first flow path.

  The first fluid and the second fluid flowing out from the first channel and the second channel, respectively, are the ratio of the pressure loss between the first container and the second container, and the first channel and the second channel. It becomes a predetermined quantity ratio corresponding to the ratio of pressure loss.

  (9) The first container has a predetermined cross-sectional area and a length, and the second container has a cross-sectional area and a length having a predetermined ratio with respect to the first container, and the pressure application The means may be one that pressurizes or depressurizes equal pressure to the first fluid in the first container and the second fluid in the second container.

  The pressure loss in the flow path can be controlled by the cross-sectional area and length. Therefore, the ratio of the pressure loss between the first container and the second container can be easily controlled by adjusting the ratio between the cross-sectional area and the length. By making the pressurization or depressurization by the pressure applying means equal to the first container and the second container, the first fluid and the first fluid are mixed in a quantity ratio corresponding to the pressure loss ratio between the first container and the second container. Two fluids are discharged.

  (10) The first flow path has a predetermined cross-sectional area and a length, and the second flow path has a cross-sectional area and a length having a predetermined ratio with respect to the first flow path. Conceivable.

  The pressure loss in the flow path can be controlled by the cross-sectional area and length. Therefore, the ratio of the pressure loss between the first channel and the second channel can be easily controlled by adjusting the ratio of the cross-sectional area and the length.

  (11) Examples of the first fluid and the second fluid include liquid, gas, and mixed phase fluid.

  (12) The quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a mixing container for mixing and holding the first fluid flowing out from the first flow path and the second fluid flowing out from the second flow path. You may do.

  The first fluid and the second fluid respectively flowing out from the first channel and the second channel at a predetermined quantity ratio are mixed and held in the mixing container.

  (13) A measuring device according to the present invention comprises the quantitative ratio dispensing device and a measuring means for measuring a reaction state of a mixture containing the first fluid and the second fluid in the mixing container.

  (14) By using one of the first fluid and the second fluid as a detection reagent and the other as a sample, the present measurement apparatus can be used for analysis of the sample.

  (15) In the method for preparing a quantitative ratio mixed fluid according to the present invention, a first step of causing the first fluid to flow out from the first channel having a predetermined pressure loss by pressurization or decompression, and the first channel A second step of causing the second fluid to flow out from the second channel having a pressure loss at a predetermined ratio by pressurizing or depressurizing at a pressure equal to the pressure applied to the first fluid; and from the first channel And a third step of mixing the first fluid that has flowed out and the second fluid that has flowed out from the second flow path.

  (16) The quantitative ratio mixed fluid preparation method according to the present invention includes a fourth step of causing the first fluid held in the first container having a predetermined pressure loss to flow out through the first flow path by pressurization or decompression; The second fluid held in the second container having a pressure loss at a predetermined ratio with respect to the first container is passed through the second flow path by pressurization or depressurization equal to the pressure applied to the first fluid. A fifth step of flowing out, and a sixth step of mixing the first fluid flowing out from the first flow path and the second fluid flowing out from the second flow path.

  According to the quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, the ratio of the pressure loss between the first flow path and the second flow path, or the predetermined quantity ratio corresponding to the ratio of the pressure loss between the first container and the second container. The first fluid flows out from the first flow path, and the second fluid flows out from the second flow path. Thereby, a quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus with a simple structure is realized.

  In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. In addition, this embodiment is only one embodiment of this invention, and it cannot be overemphasized that an embodiment may be changed in the range which does not change the summary of this invention.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main configuration of a measuring apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the substrate 3 in the II-II cross section of FIG. In FIG. 1, the measuring means is omitted.

  The measuring apparatus 1 includes a quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus according to the present invention. The quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus is realized with the syringe pump 2, the substrate 3, and the mixing container 4 shown in FIG. 1 as main components. Although the measuring apparatus 1 has an absorbance measuring device for measuring the absorbance of the mixed solution in the mixing container 4 as a measuring means, the absorbance measuring device is not shown in FIG.

  The syringe pump 2 is an example of a pressure applying unit according to the present invention. The syringe pump 2 can be loaded with a syringe capable of holding a fluid, and continuously causes the fluid to flow out at an injection rate set from the syringe. The syringe pump 2 can be loaded with at least two syringes. When the plungers of these syringes are moved at a constant speed, fluid is supplied from each syringe at a constant pressure. In FIG. 1, the two syringes to be loaded are not shown. For example, by loading two syringes having the same shape and setting the same injection speed, fluid can be allowed to flow out from the two syringes with equal pressure, but the shape of the syringe is not limited. Two tubes 10 and 11 having the same shape are drawn from the syringe pump 2. Each tube 10, 11 corresponds to two syringes, and the fluid that flows out from each syringe flows out through either of the tubes 10, 11.

  The substrate 3 is an example of a first channel and a second channel according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the substrate 3 has a rectangular flat plate shape. The substrate 3 is preferably one that is not damaged by bending or the like and can be manufactured at low cost. Further, the substrate 3 is preferably made of a material that does not react with components contained in the specimen or the detection reagent. Examples of such a material include polymer materials such as polymethylsiloxane, acrylic resin, and polystyrene resin, but glass, quartz, silica, ceramics, and the like can also be used as the material of the substrate 3.

  Two inlets are formed at one end of the substrate 3, and the tubes 10 and 11 are connected to the inlets, respectively. The tubes 10 and 11 are capable of circulating fluid inside and have the same shape. The fluid flowing out through the tubes 10 and 11 flows into the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 formed inside the substrate 3 from the inlet.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a first flow path 31 and a second flow path 32 are formed inside the substrate 3. The first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 are continuously formed in a linear shape in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 3. The substrate 3 is composed of two flat plates 33 and 34 stacked in the thickness direction. A groove having a predetermined width and depth is formed in the lower flat plate 33, and the upper flat plate 34 is bonded so as to close the groove from above, whereby the first flow path 31 and the second flow path are formed. Is formed. For example, mechanical processing using a micro drill or chemical processing such as etching is used for processing the groove.

  Each of the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 is set to have a predetermined cross-sectional area and length. The cross-sectional area and length of the second flow path 32 are a predetermined ratio with respect to the cross-sectional area and length of the first flow path 31. In the present embodiment, both the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, but the cross-sectional shape is not particularly limited in the present invention. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the length of the first flow path 31 and the length of the second flow path 32 are the same. However, in the present invention, the length of each flow path need not be the same.

  Since the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 have the same length, the pressure loss of the fluid flowing through the first channel 31 or the second channel 32 differs depending on the cross-sectional area. The pressure loss (ΔP) is expressed by the following equation 1. In Equation 1, d is a hydrodynamic diameter (which may be regarded as a cross-sectional area), μ is the viscosity of the fluid, U is the flow velocity of the fluid, and L is the length of the flow path body.

Formula 1: ΔP = 32 μUL / d ²

  In the present embodiment, the length of the first flow path 31 and the length of the second flow path 32 are the same. Further, the syringe pump 2 supplies the fluid to the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 at the same flow rate. If the viscosity of the fluid is the same, the pressure loss is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area. For example, if the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 31 to the cross-sectional area of the second flow path 32 is 1:10, the ratio of the pressure loss of the first flow path 31 to the pressure loss of the second flow path 32 Is 10: 1. The greater the pressure loss, the smaller the amount of fluid that flows out from each flow path, so that the fluid that flows out from the first flow path 31 (corresponding to the first fluid according to the present invention) and the second flow path 32 flow out. The ratio of the amount of the fluid (corresponding to the second fluid according to the present invention) is 1:10.

  In the substrate 3, two discharge ports are formed at the end opposite to the end where the injection port is formed, and the tubes 12 and 13 are connected to the respective discharge ports. The first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 are passages through which fluid flows from one inlet to one outlet. The tubes 12 and 13 are capable of circulating fluid inside and have the same shape. The fluid that flows out through the tubes 12 and 13 flows into the mixing container 4.

  The mixing container 4 is a container that can mix and hold the first fluid flowing out from the first flow path 31 and the second fluid flowing out from the second flow path 32. In the measuring apparatus 1, the absorbance of the mixed liquid mixed in the mixing container 4 is measured, so that the mixing container 4 has a transmission window through which light of a predetermined wavelength can be transmitted. In FIG. 1, the transmission window of the mixing container 4 is not shown. Further, if necessary, a stirrer may be provided to quickly mix the first fluid and the second fluid.

  In the present invention, the first fluid that flows through the first flow path 31 and the second fluid that flows through the second flow path are specifically liquid, gas, or mixed phase fluid. For example, if a specific component in human serum is quantified by the measuring device 1, the first fluid is a specimen (human serum or a diluted solution thereof), and the second fluid is a detection reagent. Note that either the first fluid or the second fluid is relative. By setting the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 31 and the cross-sectional area of the second flow path 32 to a predetermined ratio corresponding to the mixing ratio of the sample and the detection reagent, the sample and the detection reagent are desired in the mixing container 4. Can be mixed in a quantity ratio of. If the detection reagent reacts with a specific component in the sample and is colored, the specific component in the sample can be quantitatively analyzed by measuring the degree of coloration of the mixed solution after a predetermined time has passed by absorbance.

  Below, the usage method of the measuring apparatus 1 as a quantitative ratio mixed fluid preparation method which concerns on this invention is demonstrated. Here, as described above, a case where a specimen is used as the first fluid and a detection reagent is used as the second fluid will be described. Each syringe loaded in the syringe pump 2 is filled with a predetermined amount of sample and detection reagent. The specimen is diluted with a predetermined buffer as necessary. Each syringe is loaded into the syringe pump 2, and the same injection speed is set and operated. The specimen and the detection reagent that are flowed out under equal pressure from the syringe pump 2 flow through the tubes 10 and 11 and flow out from the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32, respectively. This process corresponds to the first step and the second step in the present invention. That is, the first step and the second step are performed simultaneously.

  The specimen and the detection reagent that have flowed out from the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 respectively flow through the tubes 12 and 13 and flow into the mixing container 4. In the mixing container 4, the specimen and the detection reagent are mixed and held. This mixing may be forced or by fluid dispersion. This process corresponds to the third step of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the absorbance of the mixed liquid mixed in the mixing container 4 is measured by the measuring means, but this process is not essential for the quantitative ratio mixed fluid preparation method according to the present invention.

  As described above, according to the measuring apparatus 1, the first fluid flows out from the first flow path 31 at a predetermined ratio corresponding to the ratio of the cross-sectional area and the length of the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32. Then, the second fluid flows out from the second flow path 32. Thereby, a quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus with a simple structure is realized.

  In the present embodiment, the measuring apparatus 1 has the syringe pump 2 and each fluid flows out in the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 with equal pressure, but instead of pressurization. The measuring apparatus 1 may be configured such that each fluid flows out from the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 by decompression.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, members denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment. In the modification, the tubes 10 and 11 connected to the injection ports of the substrate 3 are connected to the two sample containers 5 and 6, respectively, instead of the syringe pump 2. The sample containers 5 and 6 are containers that can hold a specimen that is a first fluid and a detection reagent that is a second fluid, respectively.

  On the other hand, the tubes 12 and 13 connected to the respective outlets of the substrate 3 are connected to the mixing container 7. The mixing container 7 is the same as the mixing container 4 in that it is a container that can mix and hold the first fluid flowing out from the first flow path 31 and the second fluid flowing out from the second flow path 32. Is different from the mixing container 4 in that it is connected to the suction pump through the drain 8. Note that FIG. 3 does not show the suction pump. The suction pump is not particularly limited as long as the mixing container 7 can be continuously decompressed at a constant pressure, and a known suction pump can be used.

  When the suction pump is operated to depressurize the mixing container 7, the paths leading to the tubes 12, 13, the first flow path 31, the second flow path 32, and the tubes 10, 11 are depressurized sequentially, and the sample containers 5, 6 are used. The specimen and the detection reagent held in the are sucked out. The specimen sucked out from the sample container 5 flows into the first flow path 31 through the tube 10, further flows out from the first flow path 31 and flows into the mixing container 7 through the tube 12. The detection reagent sucked out from the sample container 6 flows into the second flow path 32 through the tube 11, further flows out from the second flow path 32 and flows into the mixing container 7 through the tube 13.

  As described above, the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 31 and the cross-sectional area of the second flow path 32 are set to a predetermined ratio according to the mixing ratio of the specimen and the detection reagent. The sample and the detection reagent can be mixed in a desired quantitative ratio. Then, the detection reagent reacts with a specific component in the sample and is colored, and the degree of coloration of the mixed solution after a predetermined time has elapsed is measured by absorbance.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the substrate 9 according to the second embodiment. As shown in the modification of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3), the tubes 12 and 13, the mixing container 7, and the suction pump are connected to the discharge port of the substrate 9 to constitute a measuring device. . Below, the structure of the board | substrate 9 is demonstrated and description is abbreviate | omitted about another structure.

  The substrate 9 is an example of a first container, a second container, a first flow path, and a second flow path according to the present invention. Although the external structure of the board | substrate 9 is not shown by FIG. 4, the whole shape is a rectangular flat plate shape similarly to the board | substrate 3 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and is comprised from two flat plates piled up in the thickness direction Has been. FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the substrate 9 orthogonal to the thickness direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a first container 41, a second container 42, a first flow path 43, and a second flow path 44 are formed on the substrate 9. The 1st container 41 and the 2nd container 42 hold | maintain the 1st fluid and the 2nd fluid which are each distribute | circulated to the 1st flow path 43 and the 2nd flow path 44, respectively. For example, the first container 41 holds the detection reagent as the first fluid, and the second container 42 holds the specimen as the second fluid. The first fluid and the second fluid are relative concepts.

  The first container 41 and the second container 42 have a predetermined volume capable of holding a fluid with a predetermined cross-sectional area and length. As shown in FIG. 4, the first container 41 and the second container 42 are formed in an elongated shape along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 9. The cross-sectional area and length of the second container 42 are a predetermined ratio with respect to the cross-sectional area and length of the first container 41. In the present embodiment, both the first container 41 and the second container 42 have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, but the cross-sectional shape is not particularly limited in the present invention. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the length of the first container 41 and the length of the second container 42 are the same, but in the present invention, the length of each container does not have to be the same.

  Since the first container 41 and the second container 42 have the same length, the pressure loss of the fluid flowing through the first container 41 or the second container 42 differs depending on the cross-sectional area. The pressure loss (ΔP) is expressed by Equation 1 above. Similar to the above, the pressure loss of the first container 41 and the pressure loss of the second container 42 having the same length are proportional to the cross-sectional area. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the first container 41 and the second container 42 are opened to the atmosphere by, for example, a labyrinth structure, and the internal pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure. Moreover, if necessary, for example, an injection port for injecting a specimen may be formed in the second container 42.

  The first flow path 43 is a flow path connected to one end side of the first container 41 and has a planar shape that is bent into a substantially U shape. The second flow path 44 is a flow path connected to one end side of the second container 42 and has a planar shape that is bent into a substantially U shape. A detection reagent that is a first fluid is circulated through the first flow path 43. A specimen that is the second fluid is circulated through the second flow path 44. The first flow path 43 and the second flow path 44 have a line-symmetric shape in the short direction of the substrate 9. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional shape and length of the first flow path 43 are the same as the cross-sectional shape and length of the second flow path 44. That is, the pressure loss in the first flow path 43 is equal to the pressure loss in the second flow path 44.

  At the end of the first flow path 43 opposite to the first container 41 and the end of the second flow path 44 opposite to the second container 42, discharge ports are respectively formed. Tubes 12 and 13 are connected to each other. Therefore, the detection reagent that has flowed out from the first flow path 43 flows into the mixing container 7 through the tube 12, and the sample that has flowed out from the second flow path 44 flows into the mixing container 7 through the tube 13.

  By setting the cross-sectional area of the first container 41 and the cross-sectional area of the second container 42 to a predetermined ratio corresponding to the mixing ratio of the detection reagent and the sample, the detection reagent and the sample are mixed in a desired amount in the mixing container 7. Can be mixed in a ratio. If the detection reagent reacts with a specific component in the sample and is colored, the specific component in the sample can be quantitatively analyzed by measuring the degree of coloration of the mixed solution after a predetermined time has passed by absorbance.

  Below, the usage method of the measuring apparatus as a quantitative ratio mixed fluid preparation method which concerns on this invention is demonstrated. In this embodiment, a detection reagent is used as the first fluid, and a specimen is used as the second fluid. The first container 41 and the second container 42 of the substrate 9 are filled with a predetermined amount of detection reagent and specimen. When the suction pump is operated to depressurize the mixing container 7, the tubes 12, 13, the first flow path 43 and the second flow path 44, the first container 41 and the second container 42 are depressurized sequentially, and the first container The detection reagent and the specimen held in 41 and the second container 42 are sucked out. The detection reagent sucked out from the first container 41 flows into the first flow path 43, further flows out from the first flow path 43, and flows into the mixing container 7 through the tube 12. The specimen sucked out from the second container 42 flows into the second flow path 44, further flows out from the second flow path 44, and flows into the mixing container 7 through the tube 13. This process corresponds to the fourth step and the fifth step in the present invention. That is, the fourth step and the fifth step are performed simultaneously. In the mixing container 7, the specimen and the detection reagent are mixed and held. This process corresponds to the sixth step of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the absorbance of the mixed solution mixed in the mixing container 7 is measured by the measuring means, but this process is not essential for the quantitative ratio mixed fluid preparation method according to the present invention.

  As described above, according to the measuring apparatus of the second embodiment, the first flow channel 43 is first fed at a predetermined quantity ratio corresponding to the ratio of the cross-sectional area and the length of the first container 41 and the second container 42. The fluid flows out from the second flow path 44. Thereby, a quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus with a simple structure is realized.

  In the second embodiment, the measuring device has a suction pump, and each fluid flows out at the same pressure in the first channel 43 and the second channel 44. Each fluid may flow out from the first flow path 43 and the second flow path 44.

  Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, although the 1st flow path 43 and the 2nd flow path 44 were made into the same cross-sectional area and length, these may be comprised by the predetermined | prescribed ratio.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first flow path and the second flow path, and further, the first container and the second container are formed on the substrate. However, in the present invention, these are formed on the substrate. It is not limited to. For example, tubes can be employed as the first flow path and the second flow path. It is assumed that the physical properties such as wettability with the fluid differ depending on the first flow path and the second flow path, such as the substrate and the tube, and the members that realize the first container and the second container. What is necessary is just to use the coefficient which correct | amends the influence by a physical property with respect to the ratio of an area and length.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first flow path and the second flow path, or the substrate having the first container and the second container is shown. However, a third flow path or a third container is further formed on the substrate. It may be. That is, in the present invention, it is sufficient to have at least two flow paths or containers.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, the case where the ratio of the pressure loss of a 1st flow path and a 2nd flow path or a 1st container and a 2nd container is controlled as a ratio of a cross-sectional area and length is shown. However, in this invention, you may control by elements other than a cross-sectional area and length. For example, it is conceivable to control the ratio of pressure loss by setting the cross-sectional shapes of the first flow path and the second flow path, or the first container and the second container to predetermined shapes, respectively.

  In this embodiment, a syringe pump is mentioned as an example of the pressure-increasing / decreasing means according to the present invention, but the pressure-increasing / decreasing means can be appropriately changed to a known one. Further, the pressurizing and depressurizing means is not necessarily limited to one that is mechanically operated. For example, two syringes may be manually operated. In this case, the pressures applied to the first flow path and the second flow path or the first container and the second container do not need to be equal, and a predetermined ratio of pressure may be increased or reduced by two syringes. .

  Further, in order to stop the outflow of the first fluid from the first flow path and the outflow of the second fluid from the second flow path at a predetermined timing, a mechanism for blocking the flow of fluid such as a valve is further provided. Also good.

  In the following, examples of the present invention are described. An example is one embodiment of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to that described in the example.

(Example 1)
Using a measuring device having the same configuration as that of the modification of the first embodiment, the dispensing accuracy into the mixing container 7 was evaluated using the first fluid and the second fluid as water. An acrylic plate was used as the substrate 4, and the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 were formed by mechanical processing. The first flow path 31 had a cross-sectional area of width 95 μm × depth 98 μm, and the second flow path 32 had a cross-sectional area of width 397 μm × depth 237 μm. The length of the 1st flow path 31 and the length of the 2nd flow path 32 were made the same. Further, as the tubes 10 to 13, tubes made of polytetrafluoroethylene having an inner diameter of 500 μm and a length of 25 cm were used. A syringe was connected to the drain 8 of the mixing container 7 as a suction pump, and the mixing container 7 was decompressed by manually operating the syringe. The amount of water flowing out of the first flow path 31 and the amount of water flowing out of the second flow path 32 were measured to determine the volume ratio, and the average value and standard deviation of seven operations were calculated. . The average value of the obtained quantitative ratio was 34.0, and the standard deviation was 0.91.

(Example 2)
Using a measuring apparatus having the same configuration as that of the second embodiment, the dispensing accuracy into the mixing container 7 was evaluated using the first fluid and the second fluid as water. An acrylic plate was used as the substrate 9, and the first container 41, the second container 42, the first flow path 43, and the second flow path 44 were formed by mechanical processing. The first container 41 had a cross-sectional area of 10 mm width x 2 mm depth and a length of 45 mm. The second container 42 had a cross-sectional area of 5 mm width x 2 mm depth and a length of 45 mm. The first flow path 43 has a cross-sectional area of width 500 μm × depth 800 μm and a length of 67.6 mm. The second flow path 44 has a cross-sectional area of width 500 μm × depth 190 μm and a length of 67.6 mm. Further, as the tubes 10 to 13, tubes made of polytetrafluoroethylene having an inner diameter of 500 μm and a length of 25 cm were used. A syringe was connected to the drain 8 of the mixing container 7 as a suction pump, and the mixing container 7 was decompressed by manually operating the syringe. The amount of water flowing out of the first flow path 43 and the amount of water flowing out of the second flow path 44 were measured to determine the volume ratio, and the average value and standard deviation of seven operations were calculated. . The average value of the obtained quantitative ratio was 40.9, and the standard deviation was 2.9.

(Example 3)
The amount of water flowing out from the first flow path 43 and the amount of water flowing out from the second flow path 44 are the same as in Example 2 except that the depth of the second flow path 44 is 230 μm. The quantity ratio was determined by measuring each, and the average value and standard deviation of seven operations were calculated. The average value of the obtained quantitative ratios was 7.3, and the standard deviation was 0.6.

Example 4
The amount of water flowing out from the first flow path 43 and the amount of water flowing out from the second flow path 44 are the same as in Example 2 except that the depth of the second flow path 44 is 270 μm. The quantity ratio was determined by measuring each, and the average value and standard deviation of seven operations were calculated. The average value of the obtained quantitative ratios was 4.1, and the standard deviation was 0.4.

(Example 5)
The fuel for the methanol fuel cell was adjusted using a measuring device having the same configuration as that of the second embodiment. The configuration of the substrate 9 is the same as that of the second embodiment except that the depth of the second flow path 44 is 270 μm. However, the substrate 9 was formed by forming each container and each flow path on a silicon substrate by dry etching, and bonding heat-resistant glass (trade name: Pyrex) to the silicon substrate. Methanol was used as the first fluid, and water was used as the second fluid. A mixture of methanol and water discharged to the mixing vessel 7 was supplied as fuel to the methanol fuel cell. A methanol fuel cell having an electrode area of 16 cm ² and an output of 39 mV was used. With this methanol fuel cell, an electromotive force of 0.41 to 0.43 V was obtained.

(Example 6)
Using a measuring apparatus having the same configuration as that of the modification of the first embodiment, a multiphase fluid was diluted using a toluene solution containing cadmium selenide (CdSe) as a first fluid and toluene as a second fluid. . The substrate 4 was formed by bonding parex glass to a silicon plate, and the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 were formed by mechanical processing. Both the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 32 have a cross-sectional area of width 200 μm × depth 200 μm and the same length. Further, as the tubes 10 to 13, tubes made of polytetrafluoroethylene having an inner diameter of 500 μm and a length of 25 cm were used. A syringe was connected to the drain 8 of the mixing container 7 as a suction pump, and the mixing container 7 was decompressed by manually operating the syringe. When the CdSe concentration in the first fluid was compared with the CdSe in the mixture obtained in the mixing container 7 by the absorbance at 350 nm, the first fluid was 0.155, whereas the mixture was 0.30. Yes, it was almost half diluted.

(Example 7)
Instead of the substrate 9, the first flow path and the second flow path were formed by capillaries, and hydrogen gas and oxygen gas were mixed at a volume ratio of 2: 1. A silica capillary having an inner diameter of 28 μm and a length of 1 m was used as the first flow path, and a plastic bag with hydrogen gas sealed at one end was connected. A silica capillary with an inner diameter of 20 μm and a length of 1 m was used as the first flow path, and a plastic bag with oxygen gas sealed at one end was connected. One balloon was connected to the other ends of the two silica capillaries constituting the first channel and the second channel, respectively, and the balloon was sealed in a sealed container. The balloon was inflated by depressurizing the inside of the sealed container. The balloon was taken out so that the gas inside did not leak. The oxygen concentration in the mixed gas in the balloon was measured using an oxygen concentration meter and found to be 34%.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main configuration of a measuring apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the substrate 3 in the II-II cross section of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the substrate 9 according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Measuring apparatus 2 ... Syringe pump 2 (pressure provision means)
4 ... Mixing container 31 ... 1st flow path 32 ... 2nd flow path 41 ... 1st container 42 ... 2nd container 43 ... 1st flow path 44 ... 2nd Flow path

Claims (16)

A first flow path through which the first fluid flows out with a predetermined pressure loss;
A second flow path having a pressure loss with a predetermined ratio with respect to the first flow path, through which the second fluid flows out;
A quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus comprising: a pressure applying unit configured to pressurize or depressurize the first fluid in the first channel and the second fluid in the second channel. The first flow path has a predetermined cross-sectional area and length,
The second flow path has a cross-sectional area and a length that are a predetermined ratio with respect to the first flow path,
2. The quantitative ratio dispensing according to claim 1, wherein the pressure applying means pressurizes or depressurizes an equal pressure to the first fluid in the first flow path and the second fluid in the second flow path. apparatus.   The quantitative ratio dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are any one of a liquid, a gas, and a mixed phase fluid.   The quantitative determination according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a mixing container for mixing and holding the first fluid flowing out from the first flow path and the second fluid flowing out from the second flow path. Specific dispensing device. A quantitative ratio dispensing device according to claim 4;
A measuring apparatus comprising: a measuring means for measuring a reaction state of a mixture containing the first fluid and the second fluid in the mixing container.   The measuring apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one of the first fluid and the second fluid is a detection reagent, and the other is a specimen. A first container having a predetermined pressure loss and holding a first fluid;
A second container having a pressure loss at a predetermined ratio with respect to the first container and holding the second fluid;
A first flow path through which the first fluid held in the first container flows out;
A second flow path through which the second fluid held in the second container flows out;
A quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus comprising: a pressure applying unit configured to pressurize or depressurize the first fluid in the first container and the second fluid in the second container. The first flow path has a predetermined pressure loss,
The quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second flow path has a pressure loss with a predetermined ratio with respect to the first flow path. The first container has a predetermined cross-sectional area and length,
The second container has a cross-sectional area and a length that are a predetermined ratio with respect to the first container,
The quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pressure applying means pressurizes or depressurizes equal pressure to the first fluid in the first container and the second fluid in the second container. The first flow path has a predetermined cross-sectional area and length,
The quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second flow path has a cross-sectional area and a length that are a predetermined ratio with respect to the first flow path.   The quantitative ratio dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are any one of a liquid, a gas, and a multiphase fluid.   The quantitative determination according to any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising a mixing container for mixing and holding the first fluid flowing out from the first flow path and the second fluid flowing out from the second flow path. Specific dispensing device. A quantitative ratio dispensing device according to claim 12,
A measuring apparatus comprising: a measuring means for measuring a reaction state of a mixture containing the first fluid and the second fluid in the mixing container.   The measuring apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one of the first fluid and the second fluid is a detection reagent, and the other is a specimen. A first step of causing the first fluid to flow out from the first flow path having a predetermined pressure loss by pressurization or decompression;
A second step of causing the second fluid to flow out from the second channel having a pressure loss with a predetermined ratio to the first channel by pressurization or depressurization equal to the pressure applied to the first fluid; ,
A quantitative ratio mixed fluid preparation method comprising: a third step of mixing the first fluid that has flowed out of the first flow path and the second fluid that has flowed out of the second flow path. A fourth step of causing the first fluid held in the first container having a predetermined pressure loss to flow out through the first flow path by pressurization or decompression;
The second fluid held in the second container having a pressure loss at a predetermined ratio with respect to the first container is passed through the second flow path by pressurization or depressurization equal to the pressure applied to the first fluid. A fifth step to drain,
A quantitative ratio mixed fluid preparation method comprising: a sixth step of mixing the first fluid flowing out from the first flow path and the second fluid flowing out from the second flow path.

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